Dhokra Handmade Ethnic Jewelry

The name "Dokra" or "Dhokra" was used to indicate a group of craftsmen of the nomadic type. They were scattered over Bengal, Orisa and Madhya Pradish in India and were identified by their beautifully shaped and decorated metal products. The craftsmen later settled in some areas of Bardwan, Bankura and Midapur districts of West Bengal, leaving their nomadic character. Most of these craftsmen left the craft and only a few families are still participating in the trade.The" Dhokra" metal casting is said to be the very oldest form of casting and is technically known as "cire perdue" or the lost wax process. A replica of the desired product is made with wax on a clay core using very fine, detailed Indian Jewelry designs. A few coats of finely prepared clay paste is applied over the model and dried in the shade for this unique handcrafted Indian Jewelry.

The technique of casting involves a round replacement of wax with molten metal by the traditional hollow casting method. Brass scraps are generally used as raw material. Editor's note: If you have never heard of making jewelry using the "lost wax" process, (which is closely related to the Dhokra metal casting technique), it is a really fascinating, but complicated process. Therefore, I'd like to try and simplify it for you.

Step #1 Say you want to make a ring. The first thing you do is to take a block of wax and carve it into the shape of a ring.

Step #2 Next you take a little wax stick, melt the end and attach it to the ring.

Step #3 Now you take the wax ring and paint it with a thick clay-like substance, being careful to cover it really well and get all the detail of the wax ring. After a couple layers, you are left with hunk of clay and the wax ring inside and a little stick serving as a tunnel to the outside of the clay. (This will make sense in a minute.)

Step #4 Once you have the ring encased in the thick clay, you put it in a "burn-out" oven. The wax will burn away, leaving the clay hollow with the impression of your ring inside. Again, the stick will form a little tunnel from the ring to the outside of the clay.

Step #5 Now you are ready to melt the metal of your choice and pour it into the clay mold. via the tunnel. Once the metal cools and you wash away the clay, you are left with a ring.

In recent years, the product of "Dokra" and the artisans were in great demand by domestic and foreign markets because of the primitive simplicity, enchanting folk motifs, and forceful form of their unique Indian Jewelry design. Products like "Dokra" animal figurines, religious images, measuring bowls, and lamp caskets are highly appreciated and no two Dhokra Indian Jewelry Designs are ever alike.

Dhokra Handmade Ethnic Jewelry Contact me! Dhokra Handmade Ethnic Jewelry

Would you like to build a website now? Click here for more information.